Sports goal

ABSTRACT

An exemplary sports goal includes two goalposts and a crossbar extending between upper portions of the two goalposts to define an opening. At least one of the crossbar and the two goalposts, and possibly each of the crossbar and the goalposts, has a facet that is oriented partially towards the opening. This promotes deflection of scoring objects through the opening. Scoring opportunities may be enhanced as a result. An alternative exemplary sports goal includes a crossbar and two uprights extending upwardly from ends of the crossbar to define a scoring area above the crossbar and between the uprights. At least one of the crossbar and the two uprights has a facet that is oriented partially towards the scoring area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/092,499, filed Aug. 28, 2008, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to sports goals, such as hockey nets or soccergoals for example.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional sports goals, such as hockey nets and soccer goals,typically have two goalposts and a crossbar extending between upperportions of the goalposts. These structural members define an openingthrough which scoring objects, e.g. pucks or balls traveling along aplaying surface such as an ice rink or grass playing field, may pass.

Sports goals are typically situated at the periphery of the playingsurface, so that players may endeavor to score points by causing thescoring objects to pass through the opening.

It would be desirable to provide a sports goal in which scoringopportunities are enhanced.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, an exemplary sports goal comprises two goalposts anda crossbar extending between upper portions of the two goalposts todefine an opening. At least one of the crossbar and the two goalposts,and possibly each of the crossbar and the goalposts, has a facet that isoriented partially towards the opening. This promotes deflection ofscoring objects through the opening (e.g. ricocheting of pucks off thefacet into the goal) or towards an area immediately in front of theopening. Scoring opportunities may be enhanced as a result.

In another embodiment, an exemplary sports goal comprises two goalpostsand a crossbar extending between upper portions of the two goalposts todefine an opening below the crossbar and between the goalposts. At leastone of the crossbar and the two goalposts has a non-cylindrical crosssection oriented so as to promote deflection of scoring objects throughthe opening.

In another embodiment, an exemplary sports goal (as may be used forAmerican or Canadian football for example) comprises a crossbar and twouprights extending upwardly from ends of the crossbar to define ascoring area above the crossbar and between the uprights. At least oneof the crossbar and the two uprights, and possibly each of the crossbarand the two uprights, has a facet that is oriented partially towards thescoring area. This promotes deflection of scoring objects through thescoring area, e.g. when a football impacts upon one of the uprights orthe crossbar during a field goal attempt.

In another embodiment, an exemplary sports goal comprises a crossbar andtwo uprights extending upwardly from ends of the crossbar to define ascoring area above the crossbar and between the uprights. At least oneof the crossbar and the two goalposts has a non-cylindrical crosssection oriented so as to promote deflection of scoring objects throughthe scoring area.

The invention will be understood more easily and other objects,characteristics, details and advantages thereof will become more clearlyapparent in the course of the following explanatory description, whichis given, without in any way implying a limitation, with reference tothe attached Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top right perspective view of an exemplary sports goal;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showinggoalposts in cross section;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 showinga crossbar in cross section; and

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate use of a conventional sports goal and use ofthe sports goal of FIG. 1, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary sports goal 10 includes two goalposts30, 40 and a crossbar 60. The goalposts 30, 40 have bases 32, 42 andupper portions 34, 44 (respectively). The crossbar 60 extends betweenupper portions 34, 44 of the goalposts 30, 40 (respectively) to definean opening 43 through which scoring objects may pass in order to score apoint. In the present embodiment, the goalposts 30, 40 and crossbar 60form three sides of a polygon, specifically a rectangle. It will beappreciated that three sides of a polygon are sufficient to define anopening, given that the playing surface (e.g. ice or grass) upon whichthe sports goal 10 is placed (not expressly shown) is understood tocomplete the polygon. The crossbar 60 has a first end 62 connected toupper portion 34 of goalpost 30 and a second end 64 connected to theupper portion 44 of goalpost 40.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the exemplary sports goal 10 is a hockey net.Accordingly, the illustrated sports goal 10 includes other structuralmembers, such as members 66, 70 and 37, that collectively define, alongwith goalposts 30, 40 and crossbar 60, an overall frame 20 on which anet (not shown) can be connected to capture scoring objects, namelyhockey pucks. However, it will be appreciated that the present inventionis not limited to hockey nets and that alternative embodiments may nothave a frame 20 as shown in FIG. 1. In alternative embodiments, theframe may be differently shaped or may even be completely absent. Forexample, a soccer goal may consist only of two goalposts and a crossbar,with the bases of the goalposts being anchored (e.g. buried) within theplaying surface. Different embodiments of the sports goal 10 may be usedon different playing surfaces (e.g. grass, clay, turf, wood, polymer orwater).

As further illustrated in FIG. 1, each of goalposts 30, 40 and crossbar60 has a facet 31, 41 and 61 (respectively) that is oriented partiallytowards the opening 43, for promoting deflection of scoring objectsthrough the opening 43. The facets 31, 41 and 61 are substantially flatsurfaces. This is illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 of goalposts30 and 40 from above the goal 10. The exemplary goalposts 30 and 40 arefaceted tubes, wherein each cross section is in the shape of a sectionof a circle. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, each circlesection occupies more than half of the circle. Facet 31 faces a firstdirection D1 while facet 41 faces a second direction D2. Each facet isoriented partially towards the opening 43. In other words, a componentof direction D1 is towards the opposing goalpost 40 and a component ofdirection D2 is towards the opposing goalpost 30.

A notional line L extends between goalposts 30 and 40 from the innermostedge of facet 31 to the innermost edge of facet 41. This line L may beenvisioned as extending between the bases 32 and 42 (FIG. 1) of thegoalposts along a playing surface upon which the sports goal 10 rests(e.g. it may form part of the goal line). As shown in FIG. 2, each facet31 and 41 forms an angle θ of about 95 to about 150 degrees withnotional line L at its innermost edge.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of crossbar 60, e.g. as viewed from theside of sports goal 10. The exemplary crossbar is also a faceted tube,with its cross section also being in the shape of a section of a circle,which, in the illustrated embodiment, occupies more than half of thecircle. Facet 61 faces a direction D3 such that the facet 61 is orientedpartially towards the opening 43. In other words, a component ofdirection D3 is downward. The facet 61 forms an angle a of about 5 toabout 60 degrees with the horizontal at its lowermost edge.

FIG. 4A illustrates use of a conventional sports goal. FIG. 4A isincluded for the purpose of contrasting the use of the exemplary sportsgoal 10 of FIG. 1, which is illustrated in FIG. 4B.

Referring to FIG. 4A, a cross sectional view of goalposts 70 and 80 of aconventional sports goal is shown, e.g. as viewed from above. Asillustrated, the goalposts 70 and 80 are tubular and have substantiallycircular cross sections. A notional line L (e.g. goal line) extendsbetween the goalposts 70 and 80. When a scoring object 72 travelling ina first trajectory T1 impacts upon goalpost 70, it bounces away from thegoalpost 70 along a trajectory T2 which is away from the line L betweenthe goalposts. No goal is scored.

In contrast, with reference to FIG. 4B, when the same scoring object 72travelling in the same trajectory T1 impacts upon facet 31 of goalpost30 of FIG. 1, it is deflected in a different trajectory T2′ which istowards the opening 43 between the goalposts 30 and 40. In fact, becausethe object 72 crosses notional line L, a goal is scored. Thisillustrates the enhanced scoring opportunities that may result from thepresent embodiment in comparison to a conventional sports goal, whichmay serve to increase interest and excitement in a sporting contest.Even if the scoring object does not score a goal, it is likely to bedeflected into an area or “slot” directly in front of the opening,creating excitement and focusing play within this area. The likelihoodof a subsequent goal may be increased as a result, at least incomparison with conventional sports goals whose non-faceted (e.g. round)goalposts are more likely to deflect scoring objects outwardly and awayfrom the goal scoring area.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, variousmodifications can be made to the above-described embodiments. Forexample, although the above embodiment shows facets in both goalpostsand in the crossbar, alternative embodiments may have facets in just thecrossbar or in just the goalposts, or possibly even in just one goalpost(although this may result in undesirably asymmetric deflection on theright and left hand sides of the goal). Similarly, although the facets31 and 41 are typically oriented symmetrically (in mirror image), thisis not absolutely required.

Although goalposts 30, 40 and crossbar 60 are shown as faceted tubularmembers, they may alternatively be faceted solid members. Moreover,goalposts 30, 40 and crossbar 60 (whether tubular or solid) may havevirtually any cross sectional shape, as long the shape incorporates afacet that is oriented partially towards the goal opening. It is alsocontemplated that the cross section of the goalposts 30, 40 can be thesame or different than the cross section of the crossbar 60.

In another alternative, the facets 31, 41 and/or 61 could have radiusedcorners where the facet meets the remainder of the goalpost or crossbar.In some embodiments, the facets may have a slight curvature rather thanbeing absolutely flat.

Although the illustrated sports goal 10 is a hockey net, it couldalternatively be any goal for another type of sport, e.g. soccer, waterpolo, lacrosse, polo, field hockey or otherwise.

In some embodiments, the dimensions of the sports goal 10 may begoverned by regulations issued by a relevant governing body. Forexample, pursuant to the current National Hockey League (NHL) Rulebook,hockey goalposts are required to extend vertically 4 feet above thesurface of the ice and to be set 6 feet apart measured from the insideof the goalposts. Moreover, the Rulebook requires the crossbar to be ofthe same material as the goalposts and to extend from the top of onepost to the top of the other (NHL Rulebook, Rule 3(b)). Further, theRulebook requires the net to be attached to the goal frame and to bemade of a white nylon cord which shall be draped in such a manner as toprevent the puck coming to rest on the outside of it yet strung in amanner that will keep the puck in the net (NHL Rulebook, Rule 3(c)).Thus, a traditional hockey net sports goal as used in the NHL is in theform of a rectangle having a 4 foot height and 6 foot length, whereinthe goalposts and the crossbar intersect at right angles at the uppertwo vertices of the rectangle. Lower or bottom ends of the goalpostswould be spaced 6 feet apart and extend upwardly (perpendicularly) fromthe surface of the ice. It is understood that these requirements do notnecessarily apply to all sports goal embodiments however.

In another embodiment, an exemplary sports goal, as may be used forAmerican or Canadian football for example, comprises a crossbar and twouprights extending upwardly from ends of the crossbar to define ascoring area above the crossbar and between the uprights. At least oneof the crossbar and the two uprights, and possibly each of the crossbarand the two uprights, has a facet that is oriented partially towards thescoring area. This promotes deflection of scoring objects (e.g.footballs) through the scoring area, e.g. when a football impacts uponone of the uprights or the crossbar during a field goal attempt. In suchan embodiment, the angle of facets in the uprights may be similar to theangle of the facets in the goalposts shown in FIG. 2. Moreover, theangle of a facet in the crossbar may be similar to the angle of thefacet shown in FIG. 3, except that the approximately 5 to 60 degreeangle between the facet and the horizontal would be at the uppermost(not lowermost) edge of the facet. This is in view of the intendedupwards (not downward) deflection for a crossbar used in a football goalversus a crossbar used in, say, a hockey or soccer goal.

While the invention has been described in connection with variousembodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will recognize that manymodifications and changes can be made without departing from the truespirit and scope of the invention, which accordingly is intended to bedefined solely by the appended claims.

1. A sports goal comprising: two goalposts; and a crossbar extendingbetween upper portions of said two goalposts to define an opening, atleast one of said crossbar and said two goalposts having a facet that isoriented partially towards said opening for promoting deflection ofscoring objects through said opening or towards an area immediately infront of said opening.
 2. The sports goal of claim 1 wherein said facetis in either or both of said two goalposts and forms an angle of about95 to about 150 degrees with a notional line extending from an innermostedge of said facet to the opposing goalpost.
 3. The sports goal of claim1 wherein said facet is in said crossbar and forms an angle of about 5to about 60 degrees with the horizontal at its lowermost edge.
 4. Thesports goal of claim 1 wherein each of said crossbar and said twogoalposts has said facet.
 5. The sports goal of claim 1 wherein saidsports goal comprises a hockey net and wherein said scoring objectscomprise hockey pucks.
 6. The sports goal of claim 1 wherein said sportsgoal comprises a soccer goal and wherein said scoring objects comprisesoccer balls.
 7. The sports goal of claim 1 wherein either or both ofsaid crossbar and said pair of goalposts is a faceted tube or facetedsolid member.
 8. The sports goal of claim 7 wherein a cross sectionalshape of said faceted tube or said faceted solid member is a circlesection occupying more than half of the circle.
 9. The sports goal ofclaim 1 wherein said facet is substantially flat.
 10. A sports goalcomprising: a crossbar; and two uprights extending upwardly from ends ofsaid crossbar to define a scoring area above the crossbar and betweenthe uprights, at least one of said crossbar and said two uprights havinga facet that is oriented partially towards said scoring area forpromoting deflection of scoring objects through said scoring area. 11.The sports goal of claim 10 wherein said facet is in either or both ofsaid two uprights and forms an angle of about 95 to about 150 degreeswith a notional line extending from an innermost edge of said facet tothe opposing upright.
 12. The sports goal of claim 10 wherein said facetis in said crossbar and forms an angle of about 5 to about 60 degreeswith the horizontal at its uppermost edge.
 13. The sports goal of claim10 wherein each of said crossbar and said two uprights has said facet.14. The sports goal of claim 10 wherein said scoring objects arefootballs.
 15. The sports goal of claim 10 wherein said facet issubstantially flat.
 16. A sports goal comprising: two goalposts; and acrossbar extending between upper portions of said two goalposts todefine an opening below the crossbar and between the goalposts, at leastone of said crossbar and said two goalposts having a non-cylindricalcross section oriented so as to promote deflection of scoring objectsthrough said opening.
 17. The sports goal of claim 16 wherein saidnon-cylindrical cross section comprises a facet that is orientedpartially towards said opening.
 18. The sports goal of claim 17 whereinsaid facet is slightly curved.
 19. A sports goal comprising: a crossbar;and two uprights extending upwardly from ends of said crossbar to definea scoring area above the crossbar and between the uprights, at least oneof said crossbar and said two goalposts having a non-cylindrical crosssection oriented so as to promote deflection of scoring objects throughsaid scoring area.
 20. The sports goal of claim 19 wherein saidnon-cylindrical cross section comprises a facet that is orientedpartially towards said scoring area.
 21. The sports goal of claim 20wherein said facet is slightly curved.